Holliday Park

The River Wear cuts through this 23-acre nature reserve just outside Durham, and it's genuinely one of those places where you can shake off the car journey within minutes. Holliday Park works because it doesn't try too hard - there's proper woodland, riverside paths that actually go somewhere, and enough open space that kids won't be climbing the walls after twenty minutes.

Walkers will find themselves spending a solid hour here without feeling rushed. The paths are mostly well-maintained, though after rain they can get boggy near the water's edge. You'll spot nuthatches and woodpeckers if you're lucky, and the river's always doing something interesting - fast and churning in winter, sluggish and peaceful come summer.

It's free, which matters when you're park-hopping around the region. The nearest town is Durham itself, just a few miles away, so you could easily pair this with the cathedral and the cobbled streets without it feeling like a full day's commitment. If you're staying at West Hall Glamping nearby, this is absolutely worth the short drive - gives you a proper woodland experience without pretension.

The main downside? Don't expect facilities. Bring water, use the loo in Durham beforehand. It's a nature reserve, not a tourist attraction, and that's precisely why it's worth your time. Best visited in spring or autumn when the paths are dry and the crowds are nil.